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SPOTLIGHT

Richard Magat, LAFF’s Co-Founder, Dies

Richard Magat, co-founder of The LAFF Society and for 25 years director of the Ford Foundation’s Office of Reports, died March 15. He was 90 years old.

Remembrances of Richard Magat

From his friends at the Rockefeller Archive Center. Thanks in large measure to Dick Magat, the LAFF Society material will augment the Ford Foundation Collection at the Rockefeller Archive.

My Teacher, Dick Magat

By Willard J. Hertz

Will Hertz, who began work at the Ford Foundation in Dick Magat’s Office of Reports, here looks back on their relationship and, in a separate article, revisits Dick’s “relevant, insightful and beautifully written” history of the Foundation at work.

A Kind and Generous Spirit

By Theodora Lurie

From the start I recognized a unique soul—curious and engaged, an elder statesman with a sharp wit and a playful sense of humor, a kind and generous spirit.

Richard Magat: “A Deeply Engaged Citizen of the Republic”

HistPhil co-editor Stanley N. Katz remembers his friend, Richard Magat, the long-serving Ford Foundation communications director.

Richard Magat’s Memorial Service

Many of Dick Magat’s friends gathered at a memorial service in New York City on April 30, 2017.

TrustAfrica and the New Africa Philanthropy

By Elizabeth Coleman and Halima Mahomed Five important elements of a philanthropy that effectively fosters independent action and strengthens movements for change in Africa.

Providing Help to Negotiate the Civil Justice System

By Mary McClymont

Mary McClymont reports on the Justice for All Project, which will assist seven states with resources to develop systems in which everyone can get legal help.

Peter Geithner: an Appreciation

By Mark Sidel

This article by Mark Sidel appears in the March 2017 issue of Alliance Magazine.

A Nation’s Honors For LAFF Members

Dr. Natalia Kanem and Sir Gordon Conway both received honors for leadership.

Melvin Oliver Inaugurated As Pitzer College President

Melvin Oliver, Suzanne Loth Oliver, Nick Menzies, and Melinda Herrold-Menzies celebrate.

A New Model For “Dual-Faith” Education

Sheila Gordon is the principal author of an article in the International Review of Education that “puts our work educating interfaith families in a global context”.

Ford’s Records an Integral Part of the Rockefeller Archive Center

The Ford Foundation’s records, being collected and catalogued at the Rockefeller Archive Center, are a vital component in preserving the story of philanthropic work and making that documentation available to a broad research community.

“Second-Class Justice”: Mandated Arbitration Denies Choice

Sanford M. Jaffe and Linda Stamato report on how manditory arbitration significantly limits our rights in dispute resolution.

Reflections on the Death of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

By Gary Sick

Gary Sick has a few comments that seem worth adding to the flood of commentary following the death in January of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president of Iran.

Brent Ashabranner 1921-2016: “Interpreting the American Experience”

Brent Ashabranner, who once described his “way through this world” as encompassing three lives, including 10 years with the Ford Foundation in the Philippines and Indonesia, died December 1 in Williamsburg, Va. He was 95.

On the Bookshelf: Lessons for Development

New books by John Ambler, William Rust, and Jael Silliman.

A Night at the Theater

Members of LAFF’s New York chapter attended a performance in December of the acclaimed one-woman show by Anna Deavere Smith, “Notes From the Field”.

Peter F. Geithner, Authority on Asia

Peter F. Geithner, who worked for the Ford Foundation for 28 years and was a former president of The LAFF Society, died July 29 at his home in Orleans, Mass.

Tributes Honor Peter Geithner, “A Champion for Justice”

These tributes to Peter Geithner show clearly the scope of his personal interests and professional activities, and the impact both had on a wide range of individuals.

Views on Latin America

Three articles posted on our website deal with Latin America from varying perspectives.

Latin America Since 1980: Political and Economic Changes

By Jeffrey Puryear

Jeffrey Puryear discusses the major political and economic changes that have taken place over the past 30 years in Latin America.

Kalman Silvert in the Ford Foundation

To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Latin American Studies Association, a volume devoted to Kal Silvert’s career has been published.

Video on Facebook

Radhika Balakrishnan is featured in a video on LAFF’s Facebook page of a conference on Rethinking Economic Policy for Social Justice, sponsored by The Carter Center as part of its Forum on Women series.

LAFF, the Early Years

Richard Magat and the late Edward Meade, Jr., came up with an idea 25 years ago to create a way for former Ford Foundation staff to stay in touch. Thus began what now is The LAFF Society, an organization with nearly 500 members and branches in nine cities worldwide.

U.S. in Southeast Asia, And Lessons for Today

Eisenhower and Cambodia focuses on U.S. policy toward Cambodia and its “mercurial leader”, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, who, the review states, “was able to take advantage of the First Indochinese War to gain independence from France”.

Stories of Philanthropy as An Agent of Social Change

“These stories...are told through the lens of a grantmaker illuminating the sorts of considerations, dilemmas and uncertainties a grantmaker might wrestle with when making a grant to effect positive social change...”

Philanthropy Must Step Up for Fairness in Civil Justice

By Mary McClymont

For foundations that have been making grants for years to press for an overhaul of America’s criminal-justice system, it’s heartening to see that the nation is finally getting serious about pushing solutions to address a devastating challenge.

News about Former Foundation Staff

6/23/2017

Emmett Carson, Mary E. McClymont, and Clinton Stevenson are in the news.

CLIPPINGS

Selection Of Articles Published Elsewhere

The Iran nuclear deal has been a Middle East game-changer

6/14/2016

By Gary Sick and Frank G. Wisner. Two years ago, a new war in the Middle East appeared very likely. The government of Iran, despite enduring the most severe international sanctions ever imposed on a noncombatant power, insisted on increasing its nuclear program.

Opinion: Robert Curvin, and Leaving the World Better Than the Way You Found It.

By Roland V. Anglin | 10/5/2015

Celebrating and commemorating a man whose accomplishments cannot be contained by any one list.

Iran After the Deal

By Gary Sick | 9/10/2015

What to Do When the JCPOA Expires.

Saudi Arabia's Widening War.

By Gary Sick | 6/8/2015

Obama is trying to make peace with Iran. The new Saudi king is on the course for war.

The Danger of a Failed Iran Deal

By Gary Sick | 3/10/2015

If you want a nuclear Middle East, there’s no better way than to let Tehran walk away.

Now Showing: Brian Mori's Play

2/24/2015

Brian Richard Mori’s celebrated play Hellman v. McCarthy is being performed in Beverly Hills, Calif., at Theatre 40 and the Saban Theatre through Sunday, March 1. Next: Salt Lake City.

A Musical Event with John Koprowski: Five Years That Rocked the World 1964-1969

2/16/2015

A retrospective look at an era which influenced music, culture and history for the next half century.

Men are problem and solution to violence against women, says Breakthrough's founder Mallika Dutt

1/19/2015

In the wake of rising incidents of violence against women across the country, Iamin talked to Mallika Dutt, founder of Breakthrough.

Don't Let Iran Walk Away From the Table

By Gary Sick | 11/21/2014

If the November 24th deadline isn't met, everything could unravel at once.

Strikes on ISIS. Now What?

9/25/2014

Bassma Kodmani contributed to the "Room for Debate" discussion in the New York Times.

Brian Mori's play on Channel Thirteen

9/25/2014

Brian Richard Mori's play "Hellman v. McCarthy," will be aired on October 9th and 12th during Channel Thirteen's weekly series, "Theater Close Up".

National Security Council Veteran Weighs In on Foley, Hostages, and ISIL's Brutality

8/21/2014

The brutal killing of American photojournalist James Wright Foley by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (or Syria) has sparked outrage. With ISIL threatening to kill a second hostage, journalist Steven Soltoff, The Wire spoke with Gary Sick, who served on the National Security Council for President Jimmy Carter.

Four Dimensions of Nuclear Chess Game

By Gary Sick | 5/5/2014

A government negotiating with another government is almost inevitably required to conduct a second negotiation with its own domestic constituents whose own interests will be affected by the outcome.

Coalition Seeks Public's Advice on New York City's Goals

11/11/2013

As Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio prepares to succeed Michael R. Bloomberg, a coalition of leading foundations will unveil an ambitious citywide effort to enlist regular New Yorkers in sharing their views about the city’s future.

Ubinas Reflects on Six Years as President of the Ford Foundation

8/6/2013

In a wide-ranging interview with Rahim Kanani of the Skoll World Forum, Ubiñas reflects on his tenure at the foundation, the state of philanthropy today, measuring and evaluating long-term progress, critical lessons in leadership, and much more.

After a Gay Rights Victory, A New Challenge for Grant Makers

By Michael Seltzer | 7/12/2013

The Supreme Court found that the Defense of Marriage Act violates the constitution of the United States and that marriage equality is the law in those states where same-sex marriage is legal. It’s also time for philanthropy to reflect on its power to further social justice

Warren Wilson president is down-to-earth guy

4/26/2013

For those of us whose leanings are toward gentler disciplines such as literature and philosophy, a quick perusal of Warren Wilson College President Steve Solnick’s curriculum vitae might invite a touch of academic intimidation.

Reminiscences on a grantee-grantor relationship

By Rosalia Maria Emanuela Sciortino | 1/16/2013

When one reaches a certain age – as in my case – there is a tendency to look back and reflect on one’s experiences, including the transformations in one’s own career landscape over time. In the more than 20 years of working with international philanthropic and development organisations of a grant-making nature in Southeast Asia, I have seen many ideologies and trends emerge and wane.

Mideast peace starts with talking to Iran

By Gary Sick | 11/16/2012

(CNN) -- President Barack Obama is getting a lot of free advice. Here's a question, not an answer: With every issue in the Middle East intertwined with every other, like a giant bowl of spaghetti, where do you begin?

Former White House Aide Reviews 'Argo'

By Gary Sick | 10/18/2012

On NPR's Talk of the Nation, Gary Sick reviews the movie Argo that "tells the story of the six American diplomats who narrowly escaped the U.S. embassy in Tehran as the Iran hostage crisis erupted in late 1979."

Ford Needs a Smarter Approach to Newspaper Grants

8/14/2012

The Ford Foundation’s announcement last month that it is providing $500,000 to help The Washington Post strengthen its coverage of government-accountability issues is inappropriate and a waste of money.

Blame Saddam: Another Way of Seeing Iran's Nuclear Program

4/20/2012

“When the revolution happened in 1979 the Shah of course was in the midst of developing a nuclear power program, and everybody suspected that he was really going to go for a bomb,” notes Gary Sick, a Columbia University expert who was at the National Security Council when...

Meeting Iran: A Nuclear Summit Not for the Faint-Hearted

By Gary Sick | 4/11/2012

Gary Sick worked in international affairs at the Foundation from 1990 to 1995. The United States, Iran, and five other countries—Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany—are set to engage in a new round of talks in Istanbul, Turkey beginning on Friday and continuing into Saturday.

Foundation Files Reveal Insights on Culture

4/9/2012

James Baldwin needed some money. It was 1959, six years before Congress created national endowments for the arts and humanities to support struggling artists and cultural institutions....Mr. Lowry had the last word in deciding which artists, writers and performers would receive grants from the Ford Foundation, the richest private source of cultural largess at the time.

Occupy Wall Street Abandoned PR 101

By Leslie Gottlieb | 4/9/2012

I wasn’t involved in the Occupy Wall Street activities, although I followed the movement closely and admired many of its ideas and ideals. As a public relations professional, however, I was increasingly frustrated by the inability of its participants to adhere to basic PR principles. If they had, I believe they would have made a much more powerful impact on the public...